Knitting machine needle



Sept. 12, 1950 R.- C. AMIDON KNITTING MACHINE NEEDLE Filed Oct. 25, 1948INI/EN TOR,

; ATTORNEY.

3 of the groove 3a. In Fig. 4 those parts which correspond to like partsin the preceding gures bear the same numerals or letter, plus the indexletter a, so a further description of Fig. 4 is thought to beunnecessary.

The structures shown in Figs. 5 and 6 differ from that shown in Fig. 1only in the shapes of the portion 8. Those parts in Fig. 5 whichcorrespond to like parts in Fig. 1 bear the same reference numerals orletters, plus the index letter b, while corresponding parts in Fig. 6bear the same numbers or letters of reference, plus the index letter c.

Instead of having the tip lof the tongue lap over the end of the hook,the tip of the tongue 1d may be recessed, as at I3, to fit over the endof the tongue, as shown in Fig. 7.

By providing the tongue with the resilient or springy portion (8, 8a,8b, 8e) the tip of the tongue will always cooperate properly with theend of the hook to close the hook and prevent the thread being caughtbetween the lapped portions of the tongue and hook.

In Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive I have shown another modification in whichthe needle itself is provided with a springy portion I4 between the baseportion l5 and the shank proper le. In this embodiment the tongue isalso provided with the springy portion 8E. The portions of the needlefrom the springy portion I4 to the hook are stiff or rigid so that anypull on the hook which tends to bend the needle Will not cause the shankto take on a bend, as would occur were the entire needle stiff. The bendalways taking place at the springy portion I4 ensures that the needlewill return to normal as soon as the tension is released.

By virtue of my improvements, the needle shank and hook and that portionof the tongue which works in the slot of the needle (including thehook-closing tip) and the base portions of the needle and tongue whichare mounted in the leads can be made as stiff or rigid as an ordinarysewing needle for successful use in high speed machines. l

This application is a continuation in part of my application ledSeptember 14, 1948, Serial No. 49,220, and now abandoned.

What I claim is:

1. A knitting machine needle of the sliding tongue type, wherein isprovided a longitudinally grooved needle properhaving a hook: theimprovement which comprises a hook closing tongue having a rigid portionto operate in the groove of the needle proper, and having a rigid baseportion oiset from the needle proper by a springy .portion connectingsaid base portion With said rigid portion that operates in the groove ofthe needle proper.

2. A knitting machine needle of the sliding tongue type, wherein isprovided a longitudinally grooved needle proper having a hook: theimprovement which comprises a hook closing tongue having a rigid portionto operate in the groove of the needle proper, and having a base portionoffset from the needle proper by a springy portion connecting said baseportion with said portion that operates in the groove of the needleproper.

3. A knitting machine needle .of the sliding tongue type, wherein isprovided a longitudinally grooved needle proper having a hook; theimprovement which comprises a hook closing tongue having a rigid portionto operate inthe groove lof the needle proper, .and-having a baseportion offset from the needle proper by a. springy portion connectingsaid base portion with said rigid portion that operates in the groove ofthe needle proper, that portion of the tongue which Works in the slotbeing tapered from said springy portion toward the tip of the tongue. l,f e

4,A knitting ,machine needle comprising a hook needle proper having atongue receiving groove in combination With a tongue operating in partin said groove, said tongue having a rigid tip portion for closing thehook and having a rigid base and having a springy portion between thebase and tip portion for continuously urging said tip portion into saidgroove to maintain said tip portion in effective cooperation with saidhook in the hook-closed position.

5. A knitting machine needle of the sliding tongue type, wherein isprovided a longitudinally grooved needle proper having a hook: theimprovement which comprises a hook closing tongue having a rigid portionto operate in the groove of the needle proper, and having a rigid baseportion `connected to the tongue proper by a springy portion operatingto keep the tongue seated in the needle groove.

6. A knitting machine needle and tongue of the sliding tongue type, theimprovement which comprises a needle having a rigid hook, shank andbase, with a springy section between the shank and base, and a tonguecooperatively associated with the needle.

7. A knitting machine needle and tongue of the sliding tongue type, theimprovement which comprises a needle having a stiff hook, shank andbase, with a spring section between the shank and base, said needlebeing grooved to receive a portion of said tongue, said tongue beingrigid save for a portion between its base and the portion that isreceived in said groove, said saved portion being springy.

8. A knitting machine needle and tongue of the sliding tongue type, theimprovement which comprises a needle having a rigid hook, shank andbase, with a springy portion between the shank and base, in combinationwith a tongue having a shank in engagement with the needle, a base, anda springy portion between the shank and base of the tongue, said springy.portions being constructed to oppose each other and thereby maintaincontact regardless of which way the needle may be pulled in the plane inwhich the tongue and needle lie.

9. A knitting machine needle comprising a needle with a rigidlongitudinally grooved tongue-receiving shank and a rigid hook, asliding tongue having a rigid shank, said needle and said hook eachhaving a rigid base and a springy portion connecting the base with theshank.

ROY C. AMIDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the l le ofthis patent:

